[July 06, 2011] More Oklahoma elected officials are using social networks Tweet Jun 08, 2011 (The Oklahoman - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Several statewide officials and legislators who use social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter said Tuesday the benefits of using the outlets to communicate with constituents outweigh the risks of anyone hacking their accounts. Some admitted apprehension when U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y., said last week that his Twitter account had been hacked and someone sent a lewd photograph to a woman. Weiner admitted Monday that he sent the picture. In Oklahoma, several officials or their staff frequently change passwords and monitor the accounts to delete inappropriate names of followers or content posted by followers. Several post personal and government items on their personal accounts, but some have political pages on Facebook where they put information about governmental issues and events. State Auditor and Inspector Gary Jones, who manages his own personal Facebook account, said responsibility rests with the user or the person authorized to put content on the account. "It's like everything else -- you want to be careful that you don't put anything out there that you don't want the whole world to read," he said. Jones also has a Twitter account, which he mostly used during last year's campaign to provide updates. "The idea of trying to cram something into 140 characters is a novelty," he said. His Facebook account, which states he has 3,131 friends, is mostly for family and friends, Jones said. "It helps you develop a personal relationship with a whole lot of folks out there," he said. Hackers are always a threat, he said, "but you stop and think about how seldom that happens in comparison with the number of people that use it." Gov. Mary Fallin had campaign staff post messages frequently on Facebook and Twitter during last year's campaign, said Aaron Cooper, the governor's press secretary. "The frequency has gone down just because of the nature between a campaign and a government office," he said. About 90 percent of the material posted deals with the governor's office, Cooper said. Occasionally the governor will ask staff to post a personal message such as congratulating graduates or state sports teams on key victories on her political Facebook page, which is liked by 24,862 "fans." Her staff posts the messages after consulting with her on what she wants to say, Cooper said. "It's a great communications tool, and it allows you kind of unfiltered access to communicate with constituents. "For people who use social media, it's user beware," Cooper said. "Treat it as if it's public record and viewable and can be read by anyone and you shouldn't have any problems." Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb mixes state business and personal notes on his Twitter account, said Ashley Kehl, Lamb's communications director. "Since one of his big things that he does is job creation and tourism, whenever he's traveling the state we always want to let everyone else know what he's doing," she said. Lamb has a political Facebook page, which is restricted to matters in the lieutenant governor's office, and has a personal Facebook page, where he mostly posts information for family and friends, Kehl said. House Speaker Kris Steele, R-Shawnee, does not use any social media for personal or legislative matters, said John Estus, the speaker's press secretary. The subject of social media use to stay in touch with constituents and report what is happening at the state Capitol was addressed briefly with freshman House members during last year's orientation session, Estus said. "All Oklahoma House members are fully aware that in this day and age, they need to exhibit the same good judgment in their use of social media as they would with any other form of communication, public or private," Estus said. To see more of The Oklahoman, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.newsok.com. Copyright (c) 2011, The Oklahoman, Oklahoma City Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]